A widespread (EOO 29 500 km²), and still relatively common species that is declining due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation over most of its range. It however does not yet meet any criteria for a category of threat.

Distribution

Endemism

South African endemic

Provincial distribution

KwaZulu-Natal

Range

KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg foothills and Midlands.

Habitat and Ecology

Major system

Terrestrial

Major habitats

Grassland

Description

Open grassland, 150-1050 m.

Threats

This species' habitat in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands has been extensively transformed and fragmented by sugarcane cultivation, timber plantations, and urban expansion, and it continues to decline due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation. Many small remaining grassland fragments continue to be degraded due to spreading, unmanaged alien invasive plants, and inappropriate fire management. In contrast, in the Drakensberg large sections of natural grasslands remain intact, and most of it is well-protected.

Population

Subpopulations in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands are severely fragmented and continue to decline due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation, but as threats are not as severe in the Drakensberg, the species is not suspected to be declining in these areas. It is known from at least 20 subpopulations scattered over a wide area, and it is possibly overlooked and more common than records suggest.